Royal Auping bv combines all its office and production activities at one central location: De Weteringen industrial estate in Deventer. The bed manufacturer is investing in the construction of a new building and expansion of its existing location on the industrial estate, right next to the A1 motorway. By bringing all activities under one roof, the Dutch bed manufacturer aims for further optimization of its production processes, innovative capability and improvement of the company’s flexibility in order to drive sustainable growth.The relocation of activities and the new building at the De Weteringen location will be carried out in phases and will be completed by the end of 2014.
Flexible and efficient manufacturing
Auping will continue to produce quality beds in the town where it all started 125 years ago. The professionalism, craftsmanship and expertise that are available here, guarantee the quality that the company wants to offer. By concentrating all activities, while at the same time investing in a new optimal manufacturing layout according to LEAN principles, the process is organized in such a way that production operations will run as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. Due to higher product flexibility and shorter delivery times Auping will be able to respond even better to changing customer requirements in the different market segments.
Close to the customer
“With the centralization we have explicitly chosen to continue to manufacture in Deventer,” says Aart Roos, Auping CEO. “Deventer is a logical choice for Auping. Apart from our historical ties with the city and its surroundings, the location is at the centre of our key markets of the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Scandinavia; so close to the customer. In addition the municipality of Deventer with its vision as a ‘Sustainable Manufacturing City’ is a good match. We both believe in the manufacturing industry in the Netherlands and the knowledge, quality and innovative capability that is available here. The relocation offers us new opportunities to further implement our sustainability principles and achieve our ambitions for international growth.”
Healthy and inspirational, sustainable working environment
It is Auping’s ambition to have all its business processes, products and services organized sustainably by 2020. For example, materials will be re-used and recycled, so that the activities of the bed manufacturer provide a positive contribution to the environment and the surrounding area. The ultimate goal is to operate all business processes according to the Cradle to Cradle principle.
Recently Auping has been awarded a Cradle to Cradle Organization Charter by Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart, one of the founders of the Cradle to Cradle principle, and is therefore the first bed manufacturer in the world which may call itself a Cradle to Cradle organization. The location at De Weteringen will be organized in accordance with this philosophy.
A number of ambitious sustainability objectives such as energy neutral operations and rainwater collection will be central to the new building and renovation of the offices and the production location. Use will be made as much as possible of daylight, solar panels and wind energy. The new location will be furnished and equipped in such a way that it will not only be a healthy but also an inspirational work environment for employees.
More information about Auping.
